Tag Archives: melodic

Album review: SNAKE OIL & HARMONY – Hurricane Riders

Posted on March 2, 2020 by jason

Zero One Entertainment [Release date 28.02.20] Five years ago, Danny Vaughn (Tyketto) and Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network) decided to combine their talents in to form a live acoustic touring act called Snake Oil & Harmony. Since then they have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, country, Dan Reed, Dan Reed Network, Danny Vaughn, Hurricane Riders, melodic, pop, review, singer songwriter, Snake Oil & Harmony, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BURRITO BROTHERS – The Notorious Burrito Brothers

Posted on February 22, 2020 by jason

Store For Music [Release date 06.03.20] This is one of those situations where a little knowledge is a bad thing. Without any “previous” one would pick up this disc and be introduced to very pleasant, competent country rock. Non-threatening, if … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, country, country rock, Flying Burrito Brother, Gram Parsons, melodic, re-issue, review, rock, the Burrito Brothers, The Notorious Burrito Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD MARX – Limitless

Posted on February 12, 2020 by jason

BMG [Release date 07.02.20] Richard Marx returns with his first new album in over five years, produced in part by himself and featuring co-writes with Sara Bareilles, Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Darrell Brown (Dolly Parton, Keith Urban), his son Lucas and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Jana Kramer, Limitless, melodic, modern pop, review, Richard Marx | Leave a comment

Album review: DUSTBOWL REVIVAL – Is It You, Is It Me

Posted on February 4, 2020 by jason

Medium Expectations/Thirty Tigers [Release date 31.01.20] Dustbowl Revival present their fifth album and one that sees them shift away from their original Dixieland jazz, swing and Depression-era folk songs. The band revolves around the singing talents of Z Lupetin and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Dixieland jazz, Dustbowl Revival, folk, melodic, Paul Simon, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: BILLY LOCKETT – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, 2 February 2020

Posted on February 3, 2020 by jason

We have ventured into the Academy a few times but have never been to the more compact upstairs Academy 2, which was the venue for Billy Lockett’s show. He’s certainly taking a big step and gamble by going out on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 February 2020, acoustic, Billy Lockett, gig, live music, Mabes, melodic, Oxford, piano, pop, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Cult Classics

Posted on January 27, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Surprising and exciting news was announced in the autumn of last year in that Frontiers have signed Blue Oyster Cult for a series re-issues (including their hard to find 1998 album ‘Heaven Forbid’ which is re-issued … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Buck Dharma, classic rock, Cult Classics, Eric Bloom, hard rock, melodic, reissue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: SERPENTYNE & OPEROSE

Posted on January 24, 2020 by jason

Hell Fury Records [Release date 21.11.19] There is always so much to explore in music, as you explore every sub-genre of a sub-genre. Modern Symphonic Metal is a good case in point and, what was once just purely the domain … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Angels of the Night, Jennifer Coleman, Lion Music, Maggiebeth Sand, melodic, metal, Oceans Of Starlight, Operose, review, Serpentyne, symphonic metel | Leave a comment

Album review: LORDI – Killection

Posted on January 18, 2020 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 31.01.20] Finnish monsters Lordi have been rampaging through the planet since the first emerged from the deepest darkness in 1992. Over the years their own brand of twisted melodic and theatrical hard rock has won them … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album, Alice Cooper, glam, hard rock, Killection, Kiss, Lordi, melodic, pop rock, review, rock, shock rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF LYNNE’S ELO – From Out Of Nowhere

Posted on December 31, 2019 by jason

Big Trilby/Colombia Records [Release date 01.11.19] Since relaunching ELO back in 2014 Jeff Lynne’s ELO have completed sell out world tours, been inducted to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and 2015’s comeback ‘Alone In The Universe’. Despite the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, ELO, From Out Of Nowhere, Jeff Lynne, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, Richard Tandy, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Keep It Alive

Posted on December 24, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.12.19] Formed in London in the mid 70s by the Troy brothers Tino (guitar) and Chris (bass), Praying Mantis were associated with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, but have always been at the more melodic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Troy, classic rock, Frontiers, Keep It Alive, melodic, melodic rock, Praying Mantis, review, Tino Troy | Leave a comment

EP review: DIRTY VERTEBRAE – Tense

Posted on December 7, 2019 by jason

The Animal Farm [Release date 06.12.19] Dirty Vertebrae are made up of singer Nicole, rapper Ash P, drummer Scott, bassist Gaz and guitarist Chris, who were all born within a few miles of each other near Northwich, Cheshire. An interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Dirty Vertebrae, EP, funk, melodic, rap, review, rock, Tense | Leave a comment

Album review: DEWOLFF – Tascam Tapes

Posted on December 1, 2019 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 20.01.20] Dutch funk/soul rockers, DeWollf, strip it back to bare bones – literally – for their extraordinary new album, Tascam Tapes. Dedicated followers of this fine young group of musicians already appreciate their ability to adapt … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, DeWolff, funk, melodic, review, rock, souk, Tascam Tapes | Leave a comment

Album review: JASON ALDEAN – 9

Posted on November 24, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 22.11.19] Jason Aldean is the reigning Academy of Country Music ‘Artist of the Decade’ and has scored 23 Number One Country singles. He’s also the only country act in history to top the Billboard 200 album chart … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, country rock, Jason Aldean, melodic, review, rock, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RODNEY MATTHEWS & JEFF SCHEETZ – Trinity

Posted on November 17, 2019 by jason

Rodney Matthews Studios [Release date 13.12.19] Renowned fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, illustrator of over140 album covers, is also a jazz/rock/prog drummer of note, and has previously recorded solo and with guitarist Jeff Scheetz. Here he teams up again with Scheetz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, album covers, artwork, Asia, classic rock, Eloy, instrumental, jazz, Jeff Scheetz, Magnum, melodic, Nazareth, Oliver Wakeman, prog, review, Rick Wakeman, rock, Rodney Matthews, Tony Clarkin, Trinity | Leave a comment

Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Posted on November 13, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fates Warning, Inside Out, melodic, metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review, rock, Solo, What the Water Want | Leave a comment

Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acid jazz, album, Incognito, jazz, Jocelyn Brown, melodic, Paul "Tubbs" Williams, Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, review, soul, Tomorrow’s New Dream | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Seize The Day

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Winkelrant Records [Release date 01.11.19] The Darker My Horizon are back with their third album and one that sees them produce their best album to date. The core duo of Paul Stead (lead vocals, guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars, backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic, review, rock, Seize The Day, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Album review: THE IRONTOWN DIEHARDS – Linchpin

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

www.theirontowndiehards.com [Release date 08.11.19] Second album from the Irontown Diehards who formed in 2014 and released their self-titled debut album in 2016. The band consists of Phil Dixon (vocals), Andrew Baxter (guitar), Mark McCallion (bass) and Eamon Lenehan (drums). They … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Irontown Diehards, Linchpin, melodic, modern rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: FOREST FIELD – Seasons

Posted on October 20, 2019 by jason

Rock Company [Release date 18.09.19] Forest Field are the brainchild of Peter Cox, who plays all the instruments, songwriting and production, with Phil Vincent on vocals and guitarist Vince O’Regan guests on two songs. ‘Seasons’ is a concept piece, based … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, D'Ercole, Forest Field, interview, melodic, Peter Cox, Phil Vincent, prog rock, progressive, review, rock | 1 Comment

Album review: THE DARKNESS – Easter Is Cancelled

Posted on October 17, 2019 by jason

Cooking Vinyl [Release date 04.10.19] Album number six from the Darkness, with an album cover that will certainly cause some comment, although the band have always liked to push the boundaries. It also marks one of their heaviest albums overall, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Dan Hawkins, Justin Hawkins, melodic, Queen, review, rock, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THIRD EYE BLIND, MICK DEVINE, KEYWEST

Posted on October 15, 2019 by jason

THIRD EYE BLIND Screamer [Release date 18.10.19] Album number six from Third Eye Blind and this reviewer enjoyed their last album, 2015’s ‘Dopamine’. Stephan Jenkins is back (in previous interviews he stated Third Eye Blind wouldn’t reach six albums) and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, folk, Hear Now, Keywest, Lonerider, melodic, melodic rock, Mick Devine, modern rock, pop rock, review, rock, Screamer, Seven, Stephan Jenkins, Third Eye Blind | Leave a comment

Album review: DANDELION CHARM – Maybe Dreamers

Posted on October 8, 2019 by jason

Independent [Release date 01.11.19] Dandelion Charm – John Fowler and Clare Fowler – return with their second studio album and ‘Maybe Dreamers’ marks a big leap forward for the band, as they widen their musical horizons further. Sadly this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dandelion Charm, folk, jazz, Maybe Dreamers, melodic, prog, progressive, review | Leave a comment

Album review: KING CALAWAY – Rivers

Posted on October 3, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 04.10.19] King Calaway formed last year, released an EP earlier this year and now are set to unleash their debut album ‘Rivers’. I will admit this is not your standard GRTR! fare, however good songs are just … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, country pop, King Calaway, melodic, pop, review, Rivers, Stephen Stills | 1 Comment

Album review: CRASHDIET – Rust

Posted on October 2, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.09.19] “Rust” is a welcome return for Sweden’s Crashdiet, their first album since 2013’s “The Savage Playground” and the first to feature new(ish) vocalist Gabriel Keyes. The album is top quality melodic yet sleazy rock, with heavier … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Laney, Crashdiet, Frontiers, Gabriel Keyes, hard rock, melodic, review, rock, Rust, sleaze rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ABRAHAM – Comatose

Posted on September 29, 2019 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 27.09.19] I really enjoyed Lee Abraham’s 2017 album ‘Colours’, a veritable AOR meets prog delight and now Lee Abraham is back with a new solo outing, this time a concept piece. ‘Comatose’ tells the story of … Continue reading →